PYD/PKK steps up war of words with Assad

By Mohamad Misto

ISTANBUL

Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and one-time ally, the PYD/PKK terror group, have exchanged words leading to a dispute, according to the regime's official news agency.

The row between Syria and the PYD/PKK broke out after Assad’s accusations targeting the group’s collaboration with foreigners.

“Those who serve the interests of any foreign countries, including the United States of America, are traitors,” Assad told a news conference in Damascus, SANA reported.

Rezan Killo, one of the leaders of the terror group, responded to Assad, saying: “We do not take a certificate of patriotism from Assad. The validity of regime is over."

In addition to that, the SDF, a cover name used by the terror group, posted on Twitter: “The last one who can talk on the issue of betrayal is Bashar Assad ... The regime itself freed terrorists from prisons.”

According to Anadolu Agency map measurements, the terrorist organization occupies about a quarter of Syrian territory, most of which is populated by Arabs and Turkmens.

The PYD/PKK is known for its coordination with the Syrian regime in oil, military training and operations since the start of the civil war.

On Sept. 26, the regime’s foreign minister, Walid Muallem, spoke about the possibility of giving an autonomous region to PYD, but it failed following negotiations between the two.

Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to UN officials.